American Fiction is a difficult film to analyze. It's a movie that has layers to it, and a very clear message with real nuance to it. It centers on author Thelonius "Monk"' Ellison (not to be confused with Thelonius Monk the real-life jazz musician, I'm not sure why they gave him that name), an African American author who seeks to change the way books by black authors are perceived. After his work is rejected for not being "black" enough, he anonymously authors an extremely over the top satire that becomes a smash hit.
American Fiction's strongest attribute is its screenplay. The film is primarily a satire, and it is a successful one at that. The extent to which the critics, executives, etc. Are out of touch is perfectly over the top. It often seems like Monk is the only sane person in the world. Another one of the movie's strengths is how it manages to convey its messages both in a satirical form, and in its more serious moments. There is a masterful balance between the two, and the humor does not detract from its serious scenes either. The movie is backed by strong performances from its star, Jeffrey Wright and the supporting cast, most notably Sterling K Brown as the comic relief. Wright is on top of his game in this movie.
There is a certain irony to this movie getting nominated for Best Picture, as well as its success at Toronto. The film is primarily satirizing (well intentioned) white progressives who are happy to bend over backwards for the sake of diversity, unaware of how they are reinforcing negative stereotypes. You know, the type of people who fawn over Oscar bait movies like some may see this as? This is difficult because American Fiction is a worthy film in and of itself, but there is the potential to see that the nominations go against the message of the movie. It's also worth noting that it's the only black-led movie nominated this year, which from an outside perspective may make it look like the "token black movie." In a strange way, this movie might have been most successful becoming a cult classic. Nominations or not, it's still a movie worth watching.
American Fiction's strongest attribute is its screenplay. The film is primarily a satire, and it is a successful one at that. The extent to which the critics, executives, etc. Are out of touch is perfectly over the top. It often seems like Monk is the only sane person in the world. Another one of the movie's strengths is how it manages to convey its messages both in a satirical form, and in its more serious moments. There is a masterful balance between the two, and the humor does not detract from its serious scenes either. The movie is backed by strong performances from its star, Jeffrey Wright and the supporting cast, most notably Sterling K Brown as the comic relief. Wright is on top of his game in this movie.
There is a certain irony to this movie getting nominated for Best Picture, as well as its success at Toronto. The film is primarily satirizing (well intentioned) white progressives who are happy to bend over backwards for the sake of diversity, unaware of how they are reinforcing negative stereotypes. You know, the type of people who fawn over Oscar bait movies like some may see this as? This is difficult because American Fiction is a worthy film in and of itself, but there is the potential to see that the nominations go against the message of the movie. It's also worth noting that it's the only black-led movie nominated this year, which from an outside perspective may make it look like the "token black movie." In a strange way, this movie might have been most successful becoming a cult classic. Nominations or not, it's still a movie worth watching.